How To Remove Your Dip Powder Nails At Home
Similar to the longevity of gel nails, dip powder nails will last roughly two to three weeks, Darlene Sritapan, OPI North America Education & Capability Manager, tells NYLON. Although the safest method of removal will always be with the help of a nail technician, Sritapan shared her tips for at home removal, noting that when dip powder nails are left on too long, lifting becomes present, and moisture can great trapped, leading to bacteria in the nail. In order to prevent that from happening, you’ll need some tools and time.
Get the Cotton Balls ââ¬â And Other Tools ââ¬âReady
According to Sritapan, you need the following items for removal: cotton balls or pads, an acetone based nail polish removal, aluminum foil cut into squares, a nail file, buffer, cuticle oil, and a nail strengthening solution.
Once you have your materials, begin filing the nail. However, you don’t want to file down until you see the natural nail, Sritapan said. Rather, you should still see some color. The key is to file away as much of the powder as you can without damaging the nail.
Wrap It Up
After filing is complete, you’ll want to soak a cotton ball in the nail polish remove. Then, place the cotton ball on top of your nail, and wrap the cotton ball and your nail in foil. According to Sritapan, you should soak for at least 20 to 25 minutes, and for even better penetration, she suggested wrapping your hand in a warm towel.
Clean And Care For Your Nails
Carefully File It Down
Using a coarse nail file , rough up the surface of the dip enhancement. Be very careful to avoid your natural nail and cuticle to prevent damage. Thin it out as much as you can. The thinner the layers, the more easily acetonecoming in the next stepwill penetrate.
Resist the urge to cut your nails before you start removing.
Resist the urge to cut your nails before you start removing. This can actually crack the acrylic/dip and damage your healthy natural nails underneath, explains Kandalec. Wait until all of your enhancements have been removed and then you can cut or file to whatever length you like.
Learn How To Remove Dip Powder Nails Safely
by Jennifer Scott | Oct 5, 2017 | Nails |
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Theres a new manicure hack in town, and its called dip powder nails. Its very easy to pull off at home, and it is said that it can actually outlast a gel manicure. The color is given by a very pigmented powder, and the process is simple. You apply a base, dip your nails in the color of your choosing and then finish off with a sealant. Nice and easy. However, is it easy to get it off as well? Learn how to remove dip powder nails safely right here.
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There are two ways in which you can remove the dip powder nails. The good thing about it is that, since there are many layers to this process, the nails should snap right off, just like a little turtle shell.
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The Eastiest Way To Remove Dip Powder Nails At Home
Dip powder nails are a go-to choice for mani lovers thanks to their chip-resistant shine and longer wear time than a natural manicure and even gel polish manicures. Also known as SNS nails , dip powder combines a type of nail glue and colored acrylic powder to develop a durable manicure without requiring UV light to cure the polish.
However, since dip powder nails are applied by layering resin and powder, it creates a thicker manicure that can be more difficult to remove on your own without risking damage to your natural nails even more so than removing gel nail polish. “A con to using dip powder is that it is a process to remove, and the fact you must remove it all in order to do a new set,” says Lexi Suga, nail expert and owner of Notox Nails in Beverly Hills, CA.
Like removing acrylics, it’s generally recommended to have your dip powder nails removed by a professional, but with patience and a lot of care you can safely remove the dip powder formula at home and keep your nails healthy and happy. Here’s how to remove dip powder nails at home safely and effectively, according to Suga:
Removing Remaining Dip Powder
Although the soak-off in acetone removes most of the dip powder, there is always some powder that remains. Soak a cotton ball or pad in acetone and gently wipe off the remaining powder on your clients nails.You wont accidentally damage your clients nails because you dont have to scrape the remaining dip powder off her nails.After the nail technician has removed the dip powder nails, she can continue with the usual manicure or pedicure.The dip powder technique is popular not only among clients because of its vibrant colors, but nail technicians like it too. From a nail technicians perspective, you can give your client a beautiful set of nails quickly. Although removing the dip powder nails is a process, it is by far one of the safest products to remove from your nails. It is gentler on the nails.
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Why Is Acetone The Salon Industry Standard Remover
It seems obvious that something commonly used as a paint stripper cant possibly be good for you, so why is acetone; the professionals go-to for removal in the first place?
Acetone is the most effective method to remove gel, acrylic, shellac, and dip powder nails.
Its as simple as that.
It is the best at getting the job done the fastest, and this is why:
Acetone molecules have a stronger pull on the nail polish polymers, causing them to break down at a rapid rate. Its the chemical reaction that occurs which reverts the hardened polish to its liquid form, making it easy to wipe away and fully remove.
But there are downsides, as mentioned above. Acetone is harsh on the nails and skin surrounding the nails. It will dehydrate them, and can lead to cracks, nail splits, etc.
How To Use Isopropyl Alcohol To Remove Your Dip Nails
Isopropyl alcohol is another popular choice as an acrylic powder remover. You may be wondering well, whats the difference between Isopropyl alcohol and acetone?. Acetone is a chemical solvent and isopropyl alcohol is an alcohol and they are two completely different compounds. Simply put, acetone dissolves a lot more stuff than isopropyl .
Isopropyl alcohol helps soften the nails so that they can be filed down or wiped away easier. Acrylic nails are much thicker than normal nail polish, so youll need to leave your nails in the alcohol for quite a long time if you want them to soften all the way . While acetone will make your polish “peel-able”, isopropyl will just soften it enough for buffing away.;Most people dont want to wait this long however, so they usually spend around 10 minutes soaking their nails, then file them down the rest of the way.
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Can You Do Dip Powder Nails At Home
Yup, you totally can. Just keep in mind that at-home dip powder kits require some serious patience and time . If youre a little hesitant, go to a salon for your first dip powder manicurethat way you can get a feel for the process and end result before you get all DIY with it.
Of course, if youre willing to pay attention to every direction and detail and are prepared to take your time with it, definitely take a stab at an at-home dip powder manicure. Below, four top-rated dip powder kitsall of which include the proper base coats, top coat, and moreto get you started:
How To Remove Dip Powder Nails With And Without Acetone At Home
Acrylic powder was designed as a professional solution to longer lasting nail polish. Which is why its no surprise that its super hard to remove once youve got it applied! Were going to go over a few different methods you can use to remove your dip powder nails at home , with and without using harsh chemicals such as acetone. Ill explain the drawbacks and benefits of each method so you can choose for yourself which method will work best for you.
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How Much Do Dip Powder Nails Cost
You can expect your appointment to cost around the same as a gel manicure, ranging from $30 to $50 depending on your salon. At-home dip powder kits also range in price pointyou can find basic options for about $20, while bigger kits with more color variations can come in at around $60. It really depends what you’re looking for.
How To Use An Electric Nail File To Remove Dip Powder
Now manually filing the dip powder nails off can take a long time which is why most nail techs use an electric nail file.
You can check out the video below to see how to use an electric nail file to remove Dip Powder.
Electric Nail Files are extremely powerful and can quickly remove your Dip Powder Nails. But they are a bit technical to use especially for a beginner which is why I recommend if you are using one for the first time that you:
Recommended Electric Nail File
I recommend The Makartt Nail File, it is affordable yet effective making it ideal for a beginner.
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The Materials Youll Need Include:
- Acetone
- Aluminumfoil Cut into 10 small squares large enough to fit around your finger
- Cottonballs
- Nailfile and buffer
NOTE: If youare having this process done in a salon, your technician may use a drill tofile everything off if so, avoid them! This damages the nail, is actuallypainful and is a way for them to save time rather than do the job right. Belowis the only way that experts should remove the treatment.
Scraping Off Your Manicure
If your manicure is beginning to peel or crack, you might feel compelled to pull or scrape it off. Dont do this! This is one of the most damaging things that you can do to your manicured nails. Instead of taking this method of brute force to remove your polish, use the techniques detailed above. Scraping and peeling of your manicure can cause your natural nails to peel and even break.
Also Check: How To Cure Peeling Nails
What If You Are Worried About Acetone
You can shop around to find if a product line allows you to remove the treatment with regular nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol or even distilled vinegar . Alternately, you may find that using a slow drying nail polish can allow you to soften the coating and then rub away most of the treatment.
Do keep in mind that the longer you have worn a single treatment, the longer the soak required to remove it. As one expert said, The longer you leave on the polishthe more difficult it will be take off. It may be 15 minutes if you take them off the same day, but if you wait two weeks or four weeks, it could take 30 minutes.
Rough File The Topcoat
Theres typically a gel topcoat over your dip nails, King says. If its shiny, it makes it harder for the acetone to soak through the product to remove it, therefore slowing down the removal process.
This is precisely why youll want to start the removal process by gently filing down the top, shiny coatessentially roughening up the surface of the nail polish in order to allow the acetone to seep down deeper. To do so, use a rough grit nail fil to buff down the topcoatthe thinner you buff it, the easier it will be to remove.
Also Check: How To Easily Remove Dip Nails
How To Maintain Dip Powder Manicure
Remember NOT to use the polish to your cuticle. This may lift your polish and make it more vulnerable to chipping.Try to use cool air to dry your polish . If you work with a dryer, set it to a cool setting.Re-apply the top coating once in a while to prevent any kind of damage.Stay clear of using hand sanitizer as it can dry out your skin as well as damage the top layer of the manicure. Rinse your hands with a mild cleanser or mild soap.
For those who have biting nail habit or scraping your polish, try to avoid it as much as possible with dip powder manicure as it can harm your nails.
Now, lets get into removing dip powder manicure. This method is quite simple. Follow the steps below for safe removal of dip powder nails.
Soak Nails In Acetone
Prep: Apply an itsy-bitsy layer of petroleum jelly to each nail cuticle to help protect your skin from the acetone.
There are two ways to do an acetone soak:
Allow your nails to soak for about 10 minutes.
Pro tip: Remember that acetone can damage surfaces, so protect your work area with a towel.
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Wrap Nails With Foil And Acetone
As with any nail polish, acetone is a must. But save yourself the time and effort of rubbing your nails raw with a plain soaked cotton ball, as dip powder wont come off in a simple stroke. Instead, place a drenched cotton ball on top of your buffed nail and wrap it in a small square of foil. Repeat for each nail. This will help the acetone sink into the powder, effectively dissolving its bond to the nail.
If you dont have foil on hand, soak your nails in a small bowl of acetone for 10-15 minutes. To speed up the process, place a steaming hot towel over the bowl.
Common Questions People Ask About Dip Powder Nails
Now that we have covered how to remove dip powder nails at home using a few great methods, we will answer a few frequently asked questions.
Is Dip Powder Better Than Acrylic?
To answer this question best, we will dive into understanding the main differences between the two. First up, lets talk about acrylic nails.
The Lowdown on Acrylic Nails
This method makes the nail hard and damages the nail plate after removal. Acrylics also include chemicals and UV light for drying which are not good things for the health of your nails. These nail colors are pretty, but they wreak havoc on your actual nails. Acrylics stunt the growth of nails, but it gets even worse than that. This nail polish method is a breeding ground for potential infection since you are messing with the nail bed and cuticle. This method adds a top layer of artificial nail to your nail, so you can imagine it does not enhance or aid in the health of your nails.
The Lowdown on Nail Dipping Powder
In contrast, nail dipping powder is a method that does not use the typical things that ruin your nails when getting them painted during the acrylic method. Dip powder is an excellent alternative for many reasons.
Not only is this a healthier option for your nails, but it is also cheaper and lasts longer than acrylic or acrylic dip nails. Since acrylics essentially put a fake nail on top of the real nail, these chip and break easier than do dip powder nails.
How Long Does Dip Powder Last?
Does Dip Powder Work?
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Removing Dip Powder Manicures With Acetone
While there are many acetone-based polish removers on the market, you should understand that many dont contain acetone in its purest form. There are other additives brought into the solution, many with nail-strengthening properties. You can find nail polish removers that have a very low acetone content or are free of acetone altogether.
The steps for removing your nail polish with a nail polish remover are the same as the steps outlined above, for the removal of polish with alcohol. However, because you are using a product designed specifically to remove nail polish, you likely wont have to take so long. You may not even have to repeat the process!
